Before
illustrating the main types of plans and applications, let us present the major
dimensions of plans in Figure 1.5.

Figure 1.5:
Major dimensions of plans

Where;

a)Repetitiveness dimension of a plan refers to the
extent to which the plan is used over and over again. Some plans are
specially designed for one situation that is relatively short-term in nature.
Other plans are designed to be used time after time for long-term recurring
situations.

b)The
time dimension refers to the
length of time the plan covers.Strategic planning was defined as long- term in nature, while tactical
planning was defined as short- termed.

c)The
scope dimension refers to the
proportion of the total management system at which the plan is aimed. Some
plans are designed to cover the
entire open management system. This plan is often referred to as a master plan.
Other plans are developed to cover only a portion of management system.

d)The
level dimension refers to the
level of the organization at which the plan is aimed. Top level plans are
those designed for the organizationís
top management, whereas middle and lower level plans are designed for middle and
lower management.

The
planís four major dimensions are:

∑
Repetitiveness

∑Time

∑Scope

∑Level

Based on the
previous discussion about the planís dimensions; we can summarize the most
common types of plans according to the repetitiveness dimension in Figure 1.6.